The Christmas period has been and gone, the transfer window is open and EFL action continues at a pace. It is F.A cup third round weekend this week so the focus will intensify on leagues one and two.
Let’s pick out some games for this week’s acca.
Saturday, 11th January
Blackpool vs 
Cambridge
Blackpool had a mixed Christmas slate, although they only lost once they also drew three times, and drawing too much has been an issue for the Seasiders so far this season. In their draw to Wycombe last week, it took a 93rd minute equaliser from Kyle Joseph to rescue a point, and Wycombe had been playing with ten men from the 55th minute. There have been positives this season, the breakout of Rob Apter following a successful loan at Tranmere last season for example, but unless they go on a phenomenal run until the end of the season it looks like mid table.
If you offered Cambridge mid table now they would bite your hand off. Four straight defeats has left them second bottom in the table and staring down the barrel. Last week’s 1-0 home defeat to Bristol Rovers typified their season. A severe lack of goals and spark has been a big problem. It feels like Garry Monk has been under pressure for months, and it wouldn’t surprise me if they made a change soon.
I expect Blackpool to get a win against a struggling Cambridge side.
Blackpool to win outright @ 4/7
Swindon vs 
Crewe
It has certain been a tumultuous season so far for Swindon Town. They started the season with Mark Kennedy in charge and the aim was promotion, with talk of an exciting style of football being implemented. That didn’t work out, and amid protests against the owners from the fans and poor results, Kennedy was sacked and replaced with Ian Holloway. Holloway, of course, is very well-known in the game, having managed in the Premier League and is regarded as an eccentric character. He will need to call on all his experience to keep Swindon up, and results have been better since he took charge.
Crewe have been a bastion of a stability compared to their opponents this weekend. Manager Lee Bell has guided the Alex to second in the table, some feat when you consider some of the budgets they are up against. Nothing has been achieved yet, but they are on course for promotion playing some great football. This was on show when they demolished Bromley 4-1 last week, with Jack Lankester catching the eye in that game.
You never know in league 2, but I think Crewe will go on the road and pick up another win this weekend.
Crewe to win outright @ 11/8
Port Vale vs 
Barrow
Value got a much needed win last week. It wasn’t just the fact they won at promotion rivals Doncaster, it was the fact they had gone so long without a win, seeing them slip from the top of the table to on the edge of the playoffs. Manager Darren Moore knows that the expectation throughout the whole club is promotion and to bounce back to league 1 at the first attempt. They certainly have the squad for that, and Moore and Vale fans will be hoping that Doncaster victory can be the kickstart of another run to the top of the table.
Barrow have only picked up two points from their last three games, and suffered a really poor 2-0 home defeat to relegation strugglers Harrogate last week. Manager Stephen Clemence has aired his frustrations several times this season that his team can’t find any consistency, and that has left them set in mid table.
I think the win last week was massive for Vale, and they will go on another good run now, starting with a win here.
Port Vale to win outright @ 21/20
EFL Acca
I have gone for two home wins and one away victory last week. If Christmas showed us anything, it is that the EFL remains one of the most unpredictable competitions in all of sports. Blackpool are in a bit of a rut but should have more than enough to see off a poor Cambridge side, the same mantra applies for Vale against Barrow.
The one game that I think is the danger one is Crewe to win at Swindon. Although Crewe have proven they are a far better side, winning on the road in league 2 is never easy.
If you want to work out the payout for your own acca, you can use our free accumulator odds calculator.
